Uruguay: Social Aspects

Education, Culture and Community

Uruguay is the country with the highest percentage of literate population in Latin America (98%). The educational system is laicist and of compulsory attendance during the primary and secondary cycles, and the students can choose to follow a professional career in the University. Uruguay is one of the few countries in the western hemisphere where the whole cycle of education, University included, is absolutely free of charge.
However, many private kindergardens, primary and secondary schools, as well as a few private universities also complement the state educational system under a paid regime. There are also many teaching institutions for studying languages and other short careers.
The outstanding competence and ability of Uruguayan professional specialists working abroad are very often world-wide recognized in different areas such as Medicine, Architecture, Economy, Law, etc.
The high technical skill and general culture of the Uruguayan people are part of their labor force.
Almost 100% of Uruguay's population is of European origin, descending from Spanish and Italian immigrants. A small percentage of French, English, German and other European immigrants also form part of the population and culture of Uruguay.
The high level of technical and professional training of Uruguayan people has always been one of the most important advantages in the creation of local or foreign companies.

Health Care

Health care services are rendered free of pay by the Ministry of Public Health all over the country, covering approx. 70% of the population, while private associations organized under the mutual regime or medical corporations attend the rest of the population.
The relation between population and active physicians is approx. 260 to 1.
Both public and private institutions display a high level of medical services.
The State takes care of maintaining appropiate stock of common vaccines, such as those against measles, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, flu, etc.
The cost of health care in the parivate associations is around U$D 600 per year, or USD 50 per month as a general average. This cost covers a complete health service, that includes consulting visits, diagnosis, diseases treatment, internment, surgery, etc.
The cost of medicines and clinical analysis are generally not included in private institutions.

Security

Uruguay is free of terrorist groups of any type, and free of "maffias" or "gangsters" organizations.
From an international point of view, Uruguay has traditionally remained neutral during the First and Second World Wars.
The internal security and social peace that can be enjoyed in Uruguay make this country the safest one in Latin America.

Nature and Natural Environment

Uruguay is free of natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, great floods, volcanoes, snow, tornados, etc.
It is one of the countries with the smallest environmental pollution in the world, where people enjoy an exceptional pure air and deep blue skies.
The climate is very mild, with soft seasons, with an average temperature of 23ºC. in Summer and 12ºC. in winter. The whole country is situated within the temperate zone of South America.
Drinkable and excellent water is available to 98% of the population.
Beneath a great part of the Uruguayan deep underground, which extends far through the undergrounds of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina's territories, there exists the famous "Acuífero Guaraní", one of the biggest fresh water reservoirs in the world.

Conclusion

As a result of the former analysis of Uruguay from different angles, we can conclude that this little country offers a life quality level that is difficult to find in other parts of the world.
This assertion is often confirmed by people of different countries who have chosen Uruguay as their new home. When they talk about Uruguay, they very often mention the superiority of the life quality in this country as compared to other parts of the world where they have lived.